Archie Andrews/Season 1

Secret Love Affair with Ms. Grundy

Archie and Betty meet up at Pop's after the summer vacation.

The night before returning to school, Archie reunites with Betty at Pop's Chock'lit Shoppe after a summer apart, where he reveals to her that he wants to pursue his newly-found passion for music. Just as Betty is on the brink of confessing her romantic feelings for him, the arrival of new girl, Veronica Lodge, gains Archie's attention. Archie immediately appears interested, and so Betty keeps her feelings to herself.

The following morning, before heading out, Fred asks Archie to stop by the worksite after school. They need to get Archie situated in the office, so that next summer he won't have to work alongside the crew. Unfortunately, Archie has football try-outs, meaning the family business will have to take a back seat for the time being.

Reggie and Archie at school

At school, Archie is joined at his locker by Reggie, who immediately notices Archie sudden increase in stature and build, suspecting that he may be taking performance-enhancing drugs, but as Archie explains, he worked on his father's construction site the entire summer. They are then joined by Moose, who offers little in conversation but appears to show interest in Reggie's line of questioning, mainly if Archie had sex with any older women while working on private homes. Archie retorts that sex with an older woman sounds closer to a fantasy of Reggie's.

Archie interrupts Josie and the Pussycats' rehearsal for an upcoming event. He is hoping to talk to Josie about a couple of songs he has written, though she isn't interested. She goes on to explain how she and the Pussycats are building a brand, creating a signature look, and telling a story while doing so. In other words, Archie is wasting his time by coming to them, as the Pussycats only seek to perform their own music.

Geradline and Archie have sex

During the assembly, Archie briefly makes eye contact with the music teacher, Ms. Grundy, with whom he secretly had an affair with over the summer, where an offer to drive him home ended with sex in the back of her car. This led to a passionate romantic relationship between the two that lasted throughout the summer. After the assembly, he calls out to Ms. Grundy several times in the hallway, but she does not respond. She only chooses to acknowledge him once he calls out to her by her first name, that being Geraldine. He is seeking her help in music, and so she agrees to see him, but only if he makes an appointment during her official office hours, as she is trying to create boundaries because the sexual relationship between them both is forbidden given that it is statutory rape.

Archie and Geraldine's meeting

After lunch with his friends, Archie attempts to persuade Ms. Grundy into tutoring him in music. She notes his songs as being real and personal, though she can't envision a scenario where the two of them being alone together would be a good thing. She is reluctant and tries to put distance between them, but with Ms. Grundy's experienced background in music, she is the only person in Riverdale in which he truly stands to gain help from. However, Ms. Grundy can't help but wonder if this is Archie's attempt at rekindling a romance that never should have existed to begin with. He assures her that his only reason for being there is his passion for music and the fact that he needed to talk to someone about what they heard; on the 4th of July, during one of their early morning rendezvous at Sweetwater River, Archie and Geraldine's romance was interrupted by the sound of a gunshot firing. She claims that the sound they heard was in fact fireworks, but Archie knows better. Although, if they did report the gunshot, how would they explain why they were together at Sweetwater River at 6:00 AM? Keeping quiet is the only thing that ensures their safety. They are both going to have to live with that choice. Geraldine thinks that he should pursue his music, but not with her.

Archie at football practice

At football tryouts, Archie is offered Jason's spot on the varsity team despite only being a sophomore. Archie is reluctant to accept, citing his father's desire for him to help with the construction company as an excuse. He then runs into Betty and Veronica and agrees to go with them to the back to school dance.

When he returns home, Archie is confronted by his dad after receiving a phone call from Coach Clayton claiming that Archie would be working for the construction company despite the fact that he had earlier told his father he would be playing football. Archie reluctantly reveals that he wants to study music and has no desire to take over the family business.

Veronica, Archie, and Betty arrive at the dance

Archie takes Betty and Veronica to the Semi-formal as planned. Archie walks over to Ms. Grundy as she sits alone by the food stand. She thought they had an understanding, but Archie corrects her by saying they have a secret, multiple secrets in fact. He reflects on the morning of July 4th when they heard the gunshot. Maybe they could've done something to save Jason, or maybe they couldn't but regardless of that unfortunate incident, he needs Ms. Grundy's help, pleading with her to tutor him once more. The only thing that kept him sane during the summer was his music. He proposes an independent study with Grundy, as many mornings a week as she can spare, with him promising that's all it will be. Should she agree, he promises to tell no one about July 4th. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7:30 AM, she says. She'll set it up and look into getting him credit.

Archie and Betty dance together

Archie joins Betty once again, and they go onto the dance floor, swaying to the song, All Through the Night. With Veronica's plan to set the perfect opportunity for Betty to make her move on Archie in motion, she leaves the two of them to their own devices as she dances with Kevin nearby. Archie explains to Betty that everything is falling into place; he'll study with Ms. Grundy before school, football practice will be after school, and he'll work with his father on the weekends. With some encouragement from Veronica and Kevin to take the next step, Betty finally works up the courage to confess her feelings to Archie, in which she imagines the two of them together as a power couple. Unfortunately for Betty, Archie seems unenthusiastic at the confession of her feelings toward him.

Veronica and Archie make out at the closet

Archie attends Cheryl's after-party with Betty and Veronica, during which time Archie is coerced into playing Seven Minutes in Heaven with Veronica. They try to fight their attraction for each other out of respect for Betty, engaging in small talk to pass the time. They take turns asking soul probing questions, such as Archie's affections towards Betty. She is his best friend, but he never felt for her what she clearly feels for him. Despite their effort to spare Betty of any more heartache, Archie and Veronica end up kissing. When they return to the party, Cheryl gleefully informs them that Betty has fled, and so the two of them go looking for her.

Archie sets out to find Betty, but instead finds Jughead at Pops. Curious, Archie asks what Jughead is working on, to which he just replies that he is working on his novel about that summer and Jason Blossom. Seventeen years old, and how will Jason be remembered, Archie wonders. Coach Clayton stopped by the shoppe earlier that day to talk with Pops. From him, Jughead learned that Archie made Varsity, making him Mr. Popular football god, though Archie couldn't care less about any of the accolades. He is more concerned with the fact that he may have lost his best friend. Jughead instructs Archie to just talk to Betty, as it will go a long way. It would've gone a long way with Jughead.

Archie apologizing to Betty

After an awkward encounter with his former friend, Jughead, at Pop Tate's, Archie finds Betty at her house. She walks down the narrow path toward him in tears with no intentions on asking him what he did in the closet with Veronica. Betty only wants to know if he loves her. Archie explains that he does in fact love her, but he can't offer the answer that she wants. She is perfect, and he feels that he isn't good enough for her and that he never will be. As the tears continue to roll down her face, Betty turns away, walking back into her house. Unfortunately, Jughead's advice proves to be ineffective in this particular instance. Defeated, Archie walks away.

The following morning, after the discovery of Jason Blossom's body at Sweetwater River, Archie and Fred stand alongside the shore as he is brought in and taken away.

Archie trying to sleep

Unable to sleep, as his guilty conscience kept him awake, Archie texts Betty, hoping they can talk. Unfortunately, she is not yet ready to talk to him after he turned her down the night of the Semi-formal. Despite it being the late hours of the night, Archie makes his way to Geraldine's house, where he reminds her of the gunshot that they both heard on July 4th. This could've been the shot that killed Jason Blossom, and since they knew something that the police didn't, which is when it was fired, Archie thinks it's best to inform the authorities of this detail. However, Geraldine refuses to go to the police because that could result in her arrest and Archie's suspension. She figures they'll be better off leaving it to be discovered by the coroner during Jason's autopsy.

Archie and Betty walking to school

The next morning, Fred questions where Archie sneaked off to last night. He'd been hearing Archie sneak out the house since he was eight years old going to Jughead's tree house, suffice it to say he had gotten pretty good at noticing when Archie left the house. Archie couldn't sleep, so he went for a jog to tire himself out, or so he claims. Jason's death is weighing heavy on him. Fred requests that Archie desists with the late night jogs until they catch the murderer. Before leaving, Archie receives a surprise visit from Betty, who asks him to walk with her to school. She explains her emotional state, and where she'd like to go from that point on in their friendship. Archie is relieved to learn that she wants to remain friends.

Archie is confronted by Jughead

On his way to class, Archie stops by the display case, which features Jason in his Riverdale Bulldogs uniform. He then nervously looks away from Mr. Weatherbee as they announced to the school that Jason's death will be treated as a homicide. Archie is then confronted by Jughead, who recalls that they were supposed to go on a road trip over the 4th of July weekend, which Archie bailed on at the last minute. Jughead wonders if Archie is possibly hiding something.

Cheryl and Archie partnered in class

In class, Archie asks to be partnered with Cheryl in order to talk to her alone. Cheryl and Archie haven't spoken since the summer, and he merely wishes to give his condolences to her and her family. He asks if the police have any leads in the case. Unfortunately, they don't. But it is only a matter of time before something comes up. Cheryl's twin tuition is telling her that it is someone they all know. While science isn't Archie's strongest subject, he's willing to take the lead on dissecting the frog if it is too much for Cheryl to bare due to the fact that Jason is being cut open by a blade similar to that one, possibly at that very moment. She tells Archie that she's fine before looking over to Tina and Ginger and then forcefully stabbing the frog, causing them to shriek in fear.

Archie goes after Betty

Archie is joined at lunch by Betty, Veronica and Kevin as he writes one of his songs, which both Veronica and Betty insists that he play for them. At their request, Archie performs his song for everyone in attendance, sadly, it strikes an unforeseen nerve in Betty, causing her to flee the table crying. Archie chases after her. Betty explains that she felt safest and most herself whenever she and Archie were at a booth at Pop's, but after the events that took place that weekend, she no longer feels that way. She thought that she could pretend otherwise, but she was wrong. Before he can get a word in, Mr. Weatherbee calls out to him, hoping to talk privately.

Grundy manipulates Archie

Archie is currently in a very good place, Mr. Weatherbee admits. Varsity football and AP music tutorials. However, that morning, in the hallway, Weatherbee recalls how Archie wouldn't meet his eyes. He asks if this has anything to do with Jason. Despite hearing the gunshot that was fired on July 4th, Archie continues to deny having any knowledge of Jason's case. He then immediately runs to inform Ms. Grundy of his latest encounter. Archie questions if what she feels for him is real, because if it's not then he doesn't know what he is protecting. Geraldine sensually grabs his hand, claiming that what they have is indeed real, even if it isn't right, which is why he can't go to Weatherbee or else they could never see each other again.

Archie walks Veronica home

That evening, he runs into Veronica while picking up an order from Pop's shoppe. Archie walks Veronica home, and they discuss their mutually strained friendships with Betty. Archie is back to no texting, while Veronica is back to being the shallow and toxic rich-bitch that ruins everything in her path, which is unfortunate because even though she had just met Betty, she feels they were destined to be best friends. Now, it feels like she just missed the train that was headed to the rest of her life. Archie tells the story of how he and Betty have been next-door neighbors since they were four. They've always gone to the same school, been in the same class. In the second grade, he was having trouble reading, and his teacher told his mom and dad that he should stay back a year in order to get caught up. Betty was so against them not being in the same grade that she took it upon herself to tutor Archie every single day. When he passed thanks to Betty, he kissed her and asked her to marry him, to which she responded that they were too young, but if he asked her again when they turned eighteen, she'd say yes. Veronica advises Archie to give Betty time and not to despair, as she didn't believe their story was over yet.

Jughead vs Archie over Ms. Grundy

After dropping Veronica off, Archie discovers Jughead waiting for him on his front porch, where he reveals to Archie that he knows about his affair with Ms. Grundy. Jughead explains that he's simply trying to help and be Archie's friend even though they aren't anymore. He wonders how long they've been together. Archie tells him since the summer and that he likes her. Jughead scoffs, presuming that she's the reason for Archie's recent, strange behavior. One of the reasons, Archie says. He reveals that they were at Sweetwater River together on July 4th and heard a gunshot, possibly the same gunshot that killed Jason. Jughead urges him to go to the police, but Archie refuses to do so in order to protect Ms. Grundy. Jughead's critical of Ms. Grundy's behavior, certain that she is only concerned about protecting herself. She's messing with Archie's mind, Jughead says. Archie disagrees, asking Jughead what knowledge he could possibly have on the subject. Jughead admits to not having all the details, but he used to know Archie well. He wasn't perfect, but he always tried to do the right thing. As Jughead attempts to leave, Archie grabs him by his arm and threatens Jughead should he tells anyone about Ms. Grundy, though Jughead doesn't seem to be too concerned with Archie's empty threat. Fred comes outside and invites Jughead in, but Jughead has no intentions on staying.

Reggie vs Archie in the student lounge

In the student lounge the next day, Archie and Reggie get into a fist fight after Reggie threatens Jughead. Unfortunately for Archie, he is on the losing side of the fight and leaves with a black eye.

Once home, he tells his father that the black eye is from Reggie and that the argument his father had stumbled upon the previous night between him and Jughead was over a girl. Archie thinks they should do something. And it's the right thing. But the girl says that if they do it that it'll ruin what they have. Archie realizes that this doesn't make much sense without context, but Fred is just happy that Archie is being honest with him again. This is the most honest talk they've had in a while. Fred's also glad that Archie wants to do the right thing even though it's tough and might cost him.

Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Jughead at Pop's

During the Pep Rally, Archie approaches Geraldine to tell her that he will be coming clean to Weatherbee and Sheriff Keller about the gunshot. Although he respects her choice to stay out of it, he can't sit back and do nothing. Archie not only tells Jughead of his plan, but he apologizes for his words from the previous night. Jughead forgives him, but he insists that they're not going to hug in front of the entire town. Instead, they'll nod like douches and mutually suppress their emotions. As for them being friends again, that's to be discussed over many burgers and many days. As Archie prepares to join the others, he runs into Betty, who notices his black eye.

After the Pep Rally, Archie and Jughead got to Pop's, where they join Betty and Veronica in a booth.

The next morning, Archie prepares to come forward about the gunshot at Sweetwater, however, Sheriff Keller and Weatherbee are more concerned with Cheryl after having just completed the autopsy of Jason's body. In class, Cheryl admits to being guilty.

Archie confessing that he was at Sweetwater

The following morning, after Cheryl had explained what she meant by being guilty, Archie finally decides to tell the police that he also heard the gunshot that morning by the lakeside, which backs up Cheryl's claim of hearing gunfire as well. However, as promised, he doesn't include Ms. Grundy in the confession. His cover story is that he was there with his dog, working on some songs that early morning.

Archie being grounded

When he returns home that evening, Archie is confronted by his father after learning from Sheriff Keller that he was at Sweetwater River on July 4th despite Archie previously telling his father that he would be on a road trip with Jughead. Fred is disappointed that Archie didn't come to him. They could've gone to the sheriff together, but Archie claims that he didn't want to drag his father into it, which was an error in judgment, thus the reason as to why he's being grounded for two weeks. He has to be in the house, every night, by 7:00 PM.

Archie and Ms. Grundy arrange another one of their meetings the next day at school, where they discuss why he would tell the authorities about the gunshot. They were going to crucify Cheryl if Archie didn't step in and corroborate her story about the single shot fired that day. However, by helping Cheryl, he put himself and Geraldine at risk. Geraldine explains that Sheriff Keller could go digging even further, which will lead to the exposure of their relationship. Hoping to avoid this at all cost, Geraldine decides it's best to suspend their lessons for the time being.

Archie being invited to the Pussycats' rehearsal

Cheryl thanks Archie in class for coming forward about the gunshot. She wishes to repay Archie for corroborating her story. He believed her when not even her parents did, which is why she is granting him one wish. Archie didn't come forward to be rewarded, but he accepts Cheryl's offer, as he needs help with his music. As a favor to Archie, Cheryl asks Josie to allow him to observe the Pussycats' rehearsal for the upcoming Taste of Riverdale event, where they're going to perform. They will be rehearsing every night that week in preparation, so Josie tells Archie to quietly observe and learn from them. However, with Archie still grounded for two weeks, Josie's scheduling of rehearsal presents a problem that he will have to solve on his own.

Archie sits in on rehearsal

Despite being grounded, Archie creeps out the house that night to attend the Pussycats' rehearsal. He learns that Melody is their technique queen while Valerie is the songwriter. Josie enters the room, asking what it is that Archie expects to gain from this sit-in. He wants the Pussycats to record and play his songs, making them better. Josie finds it to be quite amusing that Archie believes that he is qualified to write for the Pussycats, "divas of color," pointing out that his privilege will make it easier for him to enter the music industry. They are called the Pussycats because they have to claw their way into the same rooms that someone like Archie can just walk into.

Archie explains why he snuck out

Fred catches Archie sneaking back into the house after a night at rehearsal with the Pussycats. Archie is scolded for breaking curfew, which leads to a heated argument. Archie explains his reasoning for sneaking out, but this does little to calm Fred, which leads to a heated argument as he won't allow Archie to attend the Taste of Riverdale event. Archie is upset that his father doesn't understand his interest in music, as Fred would have pardoned him if he had a football game that night, but he won't do the same for his music. Fred doesn't respect it nor does he take it seriously.

Archie and Ms. Grundy having sex

Despite his father being perfectly clear on Archie not attending the Taste of Riverdale, he sneaks in anyway and watches from the second floor with Jughead as Josie and the Pussycats perform a song that he helped work on. Down below, he sees his father engaging in a conversation with Ms. Grundy. The next day, before leaving for school, Archie's dad soundproofs the garage for Archie to continue practicing his music. Thrilled that his father finally believes in his passion, Archie goes to thank Ms. Grundy for talking his dad into respecting his choice to pursue music. He then asks if they can restart their music lessons. After exchanging longing looks, they begin to kiss.

Archie at Geraldine's cello performance

Archie and Fred attend Ms. Grundy's cello performance. Fred comments how incredible she is, to which Archie agrees. After the performance as everyone disperses, Archie and Fred go up to the stage to greet her, and Archie even hands her a bouquet of flowers. He then invites her to dine with them at Pop’s. Geraldine initially turns down the offer because she doesn't wish to impose, but after all she's done for Archie, Fred insists that she join them. Upon their arrival at Pop's shoppe, Archie is approached by Betty, who asks to speak with him alone.

Archie explains his relationship with Grundy

Outside, Betty asks Archie if he's with Grundy. Archie inadvertently confirms her suspicions. They are joined by Veronica. While she may think a "booty tutor" is scandalous, Betty is more concerned with the legal ramifications of their actions. Archie explains that the reason he lied to everyone was to protect Ms. Grundy because she believed in him when no one else did. And while Veronica understands this, Betty stands there speechless until her mother pulls up. Alice tells Betty to get in and reminds her that she doesn't want Betty hanging around Archie and Veronica.

The next day at school, Archie asks Jughead how hard it would have been for a heads-up, and if Betty will be writing about him and Grundy in the paper like she did with Chuck Clayton, though Jughead assures Archie Betty has no such intentions. Archie isn't sure what will happen in the long run with him and Grundy, but he wants to hold onto what they have for as long as he can.

Archie with Betty and Veronica at Pop's

At Pop's, Betty and Veronica inform Archie that Ms. Grundy showed up out of thin air. There is no record of her life before she moved to Riverdale a year ago. All her social media accounts were created a year ago. She didn't exist before that. The only Geraldine Grundy Betty could locate before that was an elderly woman that died seven years ago. In a desperate attempt to change Archie's mind and convince him into rethinking his relationship with Geraldine, Betty mentions that Ms. Grundy also taught Jason Blossom, as did a lot of people, Archie points out. Nevertheless, he is frustrated by Betty's investigation, insisting she let it go because he isn't in any danger.

Archie and Geraldine watches old movies

Despite Betty's best efforts, Archie heads over to Geraldine's to watch old movies at her place. However, Betty's line of questioning appears to have resonated with Archie, as he begins to ask her about her life and passions, for instance, if she always wanted to be a teacher. She tells Archie that she graduated Juilliard and auditioned at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, all the other big symphonies, but she never made the cut. Not even close. Geraldine had a dream to do more than teaching, but sometimes that's all they are. Just dreams. Archie then asks if what they have is a dream, to which Geraldine asks if it would be so bad if it was. She thinks of it as a nice dream, but Archie can't help but wonder where it would all end. They proceed to kiss.

Archie approaches his home to find Betty and Veronica waiting for him. They found a gun in Grundy's car and an ID with the name Jennifer Gibson. This, along with the fact that she taught Jason Blossom and asked Archie to lie for her, is more than enough for Betty to suspect her as the possible killer. In spite of all the evidence, Archie still defends Geraldine, but he isn't quite why.

Archie comforting Geraldine

The next day, with so many questions weighing on him, Archie finally decides to ask Geraldine about her past, starting with her real name and why she moved to Riverdale. Geraldine tells him that she had a drunk and abusive husband who would come home from work with a temper. One night he beat her to the point where she was in the ER with broken ribs and a shattered collarbone. The next morning, he barely remembered the fight, and he promised it wouldn't happen again. But when it did, she divorced him, changed her name, and moved to Riverdale, where she eventually met Archie. Seeing the pain in her eyes, Archie approaches Geraldine and holds her close.

After leaving her house, Archie informs Betty of all he had learned from Geraldine, all of which explained why she had a fake identity and a gun. Archie claims that he is going to deal with the situation involving Geraldine, but on his terms, not Betty's.

Ms. Grundy and Archie saying goodbye

That night, Archie pays Geraldine a surprise visit at school. He gives her an expensive cello bow as a thank you for all her help. While he doesn't want to end their lessons, that's exactly what he thinks they should do. She then asks if it's a goodbye gift, to which he responds that it is a "see-you-around-the-halls" / "A don't-forget-me gift." They share a quick embrace before Alice, Fred, and Betty burst in, breaking their contact. Mrs. Cooper wants to turn the situation over to Sheriff Keller, which Archie refuses to allow, stating that everything that happened, he wanted to happen. Betty asks why her mother is putting Geraldine on trial. However, in actuality, Alice is more concerned with Archie, and her wanting to expose him for the person that he truly is. Archie admits that he is selfish and stupid, but he pleads with Alice to leave Grundy alone. However, there is no getting through to her, as Mrs. Cooper even threatens to inform the neighbors. Should she do that, Betty threatens to tell everyone that she broke into Grundy's car to rob her and made up the affair. It would be as if she had finally snapped, like Polly, which would lead everyone to think what many already believe, which is that crazy runs in the Cooper family. Hearing this, Mrs. Cooper agrees to keep quiet so long as Geraldine quits her job and leaves town. Unfortunately, Archie isn't too satisfied with this arrangement.

Archie sits in his father's truck crying as they pull up to the house. His father tells him that he is none of those things that he had earlier said about himself and that it isn't his fault. He then hugs him. A little later, Archie receives a text from Betty, saying that she is sorry. He texts back, telling her it is okay.

Choosing Between Music and Football

Archie taking out his aggression on punching bag

Archie obsessively focuses on football in order to ignore his feelings in the wake of Ms. Grundy leaving town. He stays up late at night, working out, using the punching bag in his bedroom. He explains to his father that he's focusing all his efforts on football because if he can become captain, he can get a scholarship and continue pursuing music as his career. However, the only way for this to happen is if he's in top shape. Fred seems to suspects that there's more to Archie's training than football, which is the reason behind why he hesitantly exits Archie's room.

The next morning during practice, Archie takes a hard hit on the field due to his lack of focus, which Coach isn't too pleased with. In the locker room, Coach calls over Reggie, who also has his eye on team captain, and pits the two players against each other. Whoever impresses him the most within a week will be named the next team captain.

Valerie offering to help Archie

Archie is joined by Betty, Jughead, Veronica and Kevin as he studies football plays in the bleachers. Veronica asks how his life was in the PG (post-Grundy) world, but with his eye on the spot as Varsity captain, Archie isn't concerning himself with much else. Betty wonders if he's throwing himself into football in order to avoid his feelings, to which Archie replies that he's merely trying to get his life back on track, which Valerie offers to help with since she knows of an amazing songwriter from New York, Oscar Castillo, who is assisting at Carson College. She has already spoken to Oscar about Archie seeing as he does some coaching on the side, and he is willing to mentor Archie if possible. But with football season approaching, Archie isn't sure that now is the best time. Betty interjects, saying that she'll see to it that Archie meets with the music coach.

Archie meets with Oscar

In the locker room, after some reflecting, Archie decides to take Valerie up on her offer, and contact Oscar Castillo. At Carson College, Archie tells him that he began writing songs that summer, after a kid at his school died. In fact, the first song Archie wrote was about Jason. Admittedly, Archie only spends a couple of hours a day writing, but he plans to do more once football season ends, leaving Oscar to question where Archie passion lies. Before he sold his first song, he was in the studio all day, waitering and bartending all night. There are no short-cuts unless you're a prodigy, which Archie admits that he isn't. Archie then hands Oscar a USB drive with his music, however, Oscar was expecting sheet music. He doesn't teach performance, he teaches songwriting. For them to even proceed in a constructive manner, they need to be on the same page.

Archie and Valerie practicing

Archie spends the night in his room, writing down his music with Valerie. She is surprised with how quickly he caught on. His father enters the room, surprised by Valerie's presence, as he wasn't aware she was there, which leads to a lot of rambling on from Fred, until Archie stops him, saying that they are busy working on his music.

Archie at football practice

Back on the field, Archie struggles to remember the plays at practice, having to write them on his arm, which doesn't do much good considering he performs horrifically. With little to no time to prepare ahead, Archie doesn't stand a chance against Reggie, who unintentionally injures Archie's hand while tackling him during one of the plays. Fortunately, Archie manages to pull off one successful play, but as Reggie helps him up, he realizes that Archie's hand is busted and instructs him to sit out, though Archie refuses, implying that Reggie wants him to sit out because he's afraid of him. With Coach Clayton yelling from the sideline, Archie and Reggie reconvene on the field.

Veronica wrapping Archie's hand

Veronica finds Archie in the hallway wrapping his playing hand while on her way to River Vixens practice. She approaches him on the bench, telling him that his hand is his instrument and that punishing himself is no way to solve his problems. Archie insists that this is not his goal. He injured his hand because he didn't know the play, and he didn't know the play because he was working on songs all night with Valerie. Veronica appears slightly jealous hearing that he has been spending time with Valerie, but she swears that she isn't, having already been given her Seven Minutes in Heaven with Archie, alluding to their time spent in the closest at Cheryl's after-party. She kisses his hand after wrapping it, then telling him to take better care of it since it will be worth millions one day.

At Carson College, Oscar looks over Archie's musical notes, which are fine but sloppy and rushed as well. He believes Archie's songs to be juvenile and repetitive. They're break up songs. What Oscar says next is hard to hear and even harder to say, but Archie must have connected with Ms. Grundy in a way that he doesn't see himself doing with Archie. Despite all his efforts, Oscar doesn't believe he can help Archie.

Archie gives Ms. Blossom Jason's jersey

That weekend, Archie attends Jason's memorial, along with Jughead, Betty, Veronica, Kevin, and Valerie. He approaches Penelope Blossom, giving his condolences then handing over Jason's jersey, but Penelope can't see past how much he looks like Jason. She strokes his hair before apologizing and thanking Archie for the kind gesture.

Archie and Valerie at Pop's shoppe

Following the memorial, Archie and Valerie grab a booth at Pop's shoppe. Archie wonders if Ms. Grundy had possibly lied to him about his talent, but Val doesn't understand why he is questioning himself now. She explains that doing what they're doing is hard, almost impossible, but Valerie refuses to ever quit. She questions who is actually holding Archie back from his music, his coach, his father, Oscar, or maybe it is himself.

One week has passed, and as promised, Coach is ready to pick a new captain. He chooses Archie after he took it upon himself to retire Jason's number by returning the jersey to the Blossom family, which Coach believes to be the showing of a good leader. However, Archie turns down the role as team captain because he needs to focus on pursuing his music career, but he still wants to be on the team.

Pursuing a Music Career

Archie finding werewolf mask

Archie intends to try out for Riverdale High's annual Variety Show with an original song. He first begins looking through an old toy chest in his room for his guitar strap, where he finds a werewolf mask that leaves him a bit uneasy. Eventually, he does manage to find the strap before heading off to the auditions, which are run by Kevin. Archie gets stage fright, and the fact Reggie, Moose, the bulldogs in the back mocking him certainly don't make it any easier. For a moment, Archie sees the jocks as if they have terrifying wolf faces. As the host of the event, Kevin allows Archie to take his time. However, he doesn't seem to need it as he storms off stage.

In the hallway, Archie sits with Valerie, who comforts him, explaining that it's just stage fright. He asks her to sing with him in addition to headlining the Variety Show with the Pussycats, but Josie would never allow it.

Archie practicing for the Variety show

Thanks to Veronica, who spoke to Kevin, Archie has a slot in the Variety Show if he still wants it. Playing his songs in front of his friends is completely different from playing it on stage by himself, which is why Veronica is offers to be his partner. That night, Archie learns that his father has rekindled his romance with Hermione Lodge. Archie is happy for his dad and tells him to go for it if that's what truly makes him happy.

Archie and Valerie practicing in the student lounge

Archie and Valerie perform one of his songs in the student lounge the next day. To Veronica's surprise, she has been replaced, which she is not too pleased with, calling him a "Ginger Judas." Archie senses from her tone that her attitude towards him is more than just about the Variety Show, and he is right. Veronica's true anger stems from the fact that his father kissed her mother, which Archie doesn't see the problem in since they are both into each other, and his parents are separated. He asks if Veronica wants to talk about it or if she wants her spot back, but she abruptly exits. It isn't long before he and Valerie see her again, however, this time strutting down the hallway with Josie and Melody as the latest member of the Pussycats.

Archie and Valerie practice their performance in his garage, but he can sense that she is in a mood. Valerie explains that the tension he is feeling comes from the fact that she is taking a huge risk by quitting the Pussycats. She found her voice with them years ago.

Archie at the dinner

Archie attends the dinner proposal that night at The Pembrooke, which is hosted by his father and Hermione, hoping that it will win his father the construction contract for the new land. After the dinner, Archie asks his dad if he would be mad if he screwed up at the Variety Show, to which Fred responds that he'd be proud of Archie whether he killed it or not, simply because he had the courage to do it.

On the day of the Variety Show, Archie lets Valerie go, as he doesn't want to be the guy that broke up The Beatles. He reveals that Josie's father is in town, which Valerie realizes is the reasoning for Josie's recent attitude, and with that in mind, she can renegotiate.

Archie performing at the Variety Show

Following the Pussycats' performance, it is Archie's turn to get on stage, but before doing so, he has a brief discussion with Veronica, where they both apologize to each other for their earlier actions. Archie nervously takes the stage alone that night. When he does, Reggie, Moose, and the Bulldogs continue their mocking ways, but this time, Archie doesn't let it get to him. He performs in front of the auditorium and is applauded. Archie exits the stage and enters the hall to be greeted by the other performers and players on the football team, as well as Valerie, who kisses him.

Archie appears in Jughead's dream, where he claims Jughead stabbed him in his back, as he literally has a kitchen knife sticking out of his back.

Archie learns that Jughead is sleeping at the school

That morning, he runs into Jughead after showering in the boys' locker room at the high school. Archie wonders what Jughead is doing there so early, to which Jughead explains that things aren't good at home. His dad has fallen off the wagon ever since Archie's dad fired him from Andrews Construction. He hasn't had a job since. Making matters worse, Jughead's mother left with his sister, Jellybean, to live with their grandparents a while back. Archie invites Jughead to stay at his place, but Jughead declines, saying that his situation is only temporary. He's more concerned that Betty might find out that he's effectively homeless, to which Archie becomes confused as to why Jughead would care about Betty finding out.

Jughead and Archie talking about Betty and FP

In the student lounge, Archie notices a moment shared between Jughead and Betty, where he put his arm around her as she told them about the current situation with Polly. Despite her parents not wanting to go the police, Archie suggests that Betty does so anyways, but Betty decided against it. Afterwards, Archie catches up with Jughead and asks him about a comment he had earlier made about not telling Betty about his living situation. Archie concludes that this was due to the fact that Jughead and Betty are a couple, which Jughead admits is true. He then goes on to say that his father is willing to give Jughead's father another chance, but only if FP wants it. Archie thinks it would be a good idea if Jughead went to talk to his father as well.

Archie assists in the search party throughout Eversgreen Forest for Polly. They initially head East, towards Sweetwater River. He apologizes to Betty for not being there to help with her sister, which Betty says is okay, as he is there helping at that moment.

Archie and Jughead at Pop's with their dads

In celebration of FP's first successful day back at Andrews Construction, Archie, Fred, Jughead, and FP go out to eat at Pop's shoppe, where the two fathers tells stories about their younger years. After dinner, Archie, Jughead, and FP rock out in the garage. FP compliments him on his skills, claiming Archie is far better than his father. Before he can leave, Archie asks FP what he meant when he had earlier said that Fred owed him, to which FP explains that he got into trouble after working some odd jobs to support his family. Fred bailed him out, however, he wanted nothing to do with FP afterwards, as he was a liability. He even made FP sign a paper that the bail money was him buying FP out of the company, never mind that FP's share of the business was worth far more than that.

Archie wondering why his dad screwed FP over

Following his jam session with FP, Archie confronts his father with the story he heard from FP. Fred explains that FP was stealing from the company and selling things on the side. Fred gave him many chances, but FP insisted on screwing up every time. Fred tells Archie that he can't save someone from drowning if they're going to drag you down with them, but Archie doesn't believe it was fair for Jughead to drown with FP.

Fred falsifies a time card

The next day, Archie, Betty, and Fred head down to the Sheriff Station after Jughead was taken into custody and interrogated in relation to Jason's death. To Archie's surprise, his father lied to Sheriff Keller, claiming that Jughead was tearing down drywall for Andrews construction on July 11th, which Fred later falsifies a time card to prove. Archie is shocked at how good his father is at falsifying work documents, as if he had done it before. After a tearful moment between FP and Jughead after leaving the station, Archie once again extends an invitation for Jughead to live with him, as FP got himself together. Jughead initially says no, but later ends up staying there anyways. Archie then apologizes about how things went with his father and Jughead's.

Saving the Family Business

Archie and Jughead playing video games

A late night of gaming is underway between Archie and Jughead until Fred enters the room to inform the boys that it is time to call it a night, but not before noticing the awful smell present in Archie's room. Archie goes to open the window while Fred asks Jughead if he's settling in, to which Jughead replies that its like they're two roommates in a college dorm. Fred then informs them that he'll be breaking ground on the SoDale project the next morning, apologizing to Jughead that it's kind of a sore subject because of the Twilight Drive-In. Jughead merely shrugs it off, telling him that he's okay with it as long as he builds something beautiful in its place. Fred reassures him that it may not be beautiful, but it will be big.

The following night, Archie returns home from his date with Valerie to discover that his father hasn't been as plain-spoken about the severity of danger that Andrews Construction is facing. The company has been in trouble for a long time. There's just so many problems with so little that he can actually do. He fears of losing the company, but Archie assures him that they won't be losing anything.

Jughead and Archie working on the SoDale site

The next day, Archie, Jughead, Kevin, and Moose volunteer to help keep the SoDale project on schedule until his father can find a real crew. Jughead comments how handy Archie is with the wheel barrel, joking that if his music career never pays off, he could always have manual labor as a fallback. Archie retorts that his father's path is not for him. Archie acknowledges how hard his father works his ass off for him, never asking for anything, and always having his back, even when Archie messes up. If having his father's back means that he had to haul some rocks, he'd be more than willing to accommodate. As the day comes to an end, the boys return to the trailer, but Moose forgets his phone back on the project site, and as he goes to retrieve it, he is ambushed by two thugs, who warn them to stop construction or else they'll be back.

Sheriff Keller arriving at the construction site

Upon Sheriff Keller's arrival, Archie confesses that he believes the Southside Serpents to be Moose's attackers, as they would have been furious after having to leave their own territory due to the construction. However, the Sheriff isn't convinced that there is anything he could do without an ID on the attackers, leading Archie to call him out for not doing more. Had it been Clifford Blossom that needed the Sheriff's help, he would have agreed, Archie claims.

In his room the next day, Archie paces back and forth, wondering what his next move should be after the attack at Andrews construction. Whatever it is, Valerie only hopes that he'll talk to her and not do something that he'll eventually end up regretting.

Archie finding Jughead at Pop's

After several unanswered texts from Jughead, Archie finds him at Pop's shoppe with Betty and Veronica. Archie and Moose are going to the south side in order to find the Serpents that potentially attacked Moose. Archie says that it is worth a shot, and Kevin's boyfriend, who is also a Serpent, can get them into a bar called the Whyte Wyrm, where the Serpents hang out. He reasons that if Moose spots them, they can call Sheriff Keller and get the goons arrested. Archie then reveals that Clifford Blossom is trying to stop the SoDale project, which is all the more reason to believe that he hired Serpents to vandalize the work site. On top of that, Sheriff Keller looks like he won't be of help in solving their problem. As Archie gets up to leave, he tries to convince Jughead one last time to join them, but to no avail.

Archie, Kevin, Moose and Joaquin at Serpent bar

At the bar, Moose points out Mustang, a Serpent and possibly one of his attackers. Despite their initial plan to call the cops, Archie confronts Mustang head-on, asking if he likes beating up teenagers. Even though the Serpent is mistaken for another individual they are looking for, Mustang has no problem in granting Archie's death wish, pointing out that Archie isn't the first Bulldog to come into the bar and start up trouble. He shoves Archie and Archie shoves back. Archie is then thrown into the pool table. FP emerges from the top of the stairs, breaking up the fight before it can escalate, revealing that he is the leader of the Southside Serpents. Archie, Kevin, and Moose are escorted out of the bar by FP. Archie explains his reasoning for being at the Wyrm and how he came to the conclusion that the Serpents were at the center of it. The fact that FP is a Serpent only confirms his suspicion. He now figures it was personal; payback at Fred for firing him. FP denies all allegations as Fred pulls up and tells Archie to get in the truck.

As his father converses with FP, Archie sneaks out the truck and confronts Jughead at Polly's baby shower, having just found out that Jughead's father was the leader of the Southside Serpents. Veronica tells them they have to check themselves and reminds them that the evening is in honor of Polly.

Archie and his father discussing their troubles

Archie returns home after leaving the baby shower, where he has a heart-to-heart with his father. Archie only wants to help his dad the same way he had always helped him. Fred went on about how bad things had gotten, everything from their family falling apart, to Archie's future. He's spent his entire life building things, but now he can't seem to get them to work out for him, and in that moment, it became apparent to Archie that his father was losing his will, but Archie refuses to accept defeat. He's been thinking, what if he has a kid someday that hated music and instead wanted to build houses and buildings like his grandpa. Archie expresses how cool he thinks that would be. Building things are Fred's legacy, which makes it Archie's too.

Archie toys with his guitar until Jughead returns home, during which time the two of them discuss how they should always trust each other, as they're like brothers.

Blossom Tree Tapping Ceremony

Cheryl asking Archie to be her date

As Archie tunes his guitar that morning in the music room, Cheryl enters with an invitation for him to escort her to her family's annual event, the tree tapping ceremony. This week is the official start of the maple season, and she needs a date, as for obvious reasons, Jason will not be able to attend. Admittedly, Archie would love to help her, however, he cannot accept her invitation because he has a girlfriend, though he suggests that she ask Kevin or Reggie. However, Cheryl desires Archie. He was the only person to defend her against Sheriff Keller, even when her parents did not.

Archie and Mrs. Blossom

Not long after his talk with Cheryl, Archie is confronted by Mrs. Blossom, who is aware of Archie's passion for music and is capable of getting him into the Brandenburg Music Academy, which is a school for the musically gifted, though hard to get into. Mrs. Blossom recalls how Archie brought her Jason's football jersey during his memorial. That was a gesture of kindness during a moment of despair for her family, making Archie a good person in her eyes.

In the lounge, Archie celebrates with his friends over the possibility that he will be accepted into the exclusive summer music program. Jughead and Veronica question the validity of Archie's agreement with the Blossoms, but Betty thinks it is a great idea, then asking if Archie could check on Polly while he is there.

Archie and Cheryl at the tree tapping

The next day, as the tree tapping ceremony is about to commence, Cheryl instructs Archie to hold the bucket steady. She will do the rest. He wonders who all the unfamiliar guests are, to which Cheryl replies that they are her father's board of trustees. In Jason's place, Cheryl is called up by her father to stake the tree. Cheryl is noticeably nervous. She's only ever seen Jason do it. Archie, who holds the bucket, gives Cheryl a pep talk, telling her she could do it in her sleep, and just like he said, she does it without a hitch, earning everyone's applauds and parents prideful approval.

The Blossoms, Archie and Polly posing for a group photo

Following the group photo, just as Betty asked, Archie checks in on Polly. He asks why she was not returning Betty's calls since she fought so hard for her to come home, only for Polly to treat Betty as if she's the enemy. Polly simply replies that she's fine. Archie then joins Cheryl, who while walking to the Blossom farm, overhears her own aunt and uncle talk down on her, refusing to allow her to run the company. Archie comes to Cheryl's defense and informs aunt Cricket and uncle Bedford that Cheryl loved Jason. She has done as much to help the Bulldogs win games as Jason did, and she has a 4.0 GPA. If there is anything that he has learned from being in class with Cheryl, it is that she should not be underestimated or betted against.

Archie being invited to the Blossom banquet

Mr. Blossom admits that he was taken back when Cheryl revealed that she wanted Archie to escort her to the tapping, considering how he and Archie's father are not seeing eye-to-eye at the moment. Archie explains that he is there for Cheryl and because he is grateful for them getting him into music academy. Clifford reminds Archie that his family can be quite generous to the right people, which is why he wants Archie to attend the banquet they are hosting later this week at the Belmont Lodge as Cheryl's escort. Archie is not too sure he should attend since he is an Andrews and banquets are not their type of scene. But this is precisely why Clifford wants him to come; people like the Andrews are the bedrock of their town. Cheryl joins them and tells Archie that she also needs a dance partner for the event. After a bit of effort on their part, Archie reluctantly complies, knowing they won't accept no for an answer.

Archie revealing to Betty and Mrs. Cooper what he had learned

After the tree tapping, Archie informs Betty and her mother of all he had learned that day, starting with Polly, who is not coming back and is being treated great by the Blossoms. He then informs Mrs. Cooper that the Blossoms' business is in jeopardy after the scandal with Jason and Polly. The board of trustees might seek to steal the company from Mr. Blossom.

Archie is gifted a guitar

The following night, he receives a surprise visit from Cheryl, who wishes to thank him with a brand new guitar for agreeing to escort her to the banquet. Cheryl kisses him on the cheek and then leaves. Fred advises him to give it back, but Archie reminds his father that the Blossoms are going to get him into the best music program in the country, as they believed in his potential. Fred retorts Archie that the Blossoms are no friend to them. They are only using Archie, as he and his father are nothing more to them than dirt under their shoe.

Archie and Clifford at the tailor

Archie is taken to the local tailor to get sized for the suit he will wear for the banquet, but before they move on to measurements for the pants, Archie wants to talk to Clifford. His father's company is having troubles, so he wonders if the Blossoms can help his father and Andrews Construction instead of helping him with the music program. Clifford is impressed at the lengths Archie is willing to go for his father, negotiating on his behalf. He tries to imagine if Jason would ever have done the same for him, but he is not too sure he would. This speaks to Archie's character. Clifford informs him that they have already given the academy a call, however, after the banquet, he will be willing to discuss what the Blossoms can do for Archie's dad.

Archie and Valerie arguing

The next day, Valerie informs Archie that she just had a chat with Cheryl, who believes that she is going to steal Archie away, which Archie insists is not true. Valerie, however, does not blame Cheryl for thinking this. Between the new guitar and new suit, it is obvious that they are buying Archie, which he does not seem to mind so long as it helps his father and gains him access to the music program. Archie wonders what Val would do in his situation. She explains that if he has to ask, then he doesn't know her at all.

Archie and Mr. Blossom at the banquet

As promised, Archie escorts Cheryl to the banquet that week. She tells him that her parents kind ways are not genuine, as they wanted her to fail the tapping. Just then, Mr. Blossom requests to speak with Archie privately. He has decided to help Archie's father since Archie has helped them. The Andrews have a bright future with the Blossoms. Archie reminded him that they do not have to keep doing him favors, as he likes Cheryl and is happy to be there for her as a friend. Though Cheryl is a bright girl, the trustees are skeptical of having her play an active role in the company, but if someone with Archie's character were at her side to temper her erratic behavior, they would be more inclined. Basically, having Archie with Cheryl creates an appealing picture. Polly then interrupts the two of them, asking to have the first dance with Archie, during which time she explains that the Blossoms had something to do with Jason's death, and she is there to figure out how, but she needs Archie to get Betty to back off.

Archie and Cheryl kissing

Archie notices Cheryl storm off after a fight with her father, and so he follows her out to the pool and checks on her. Jason was the golden boy, Cheryl says. People hate her, and while that is fine at school, it is too much to bear from her own family. However, Archie thinks she is awesome, which leads Cheryl to express how she feels that Archie is the only decent person left in Riverdale. She then kisses him and tells Archie that her lipstick is maple-red, in case he is wondering why it is so sweet. Archie runs off, leaving her by the pool. As he is leaving, he stumbles upon a conversation between Clifford and Penelope outside the lounge. Clifford says that while the trustees are satisfied, uncle Bedford keeps asking about the drive-in land. Clifford is close to regaining the land, and Hermione Lodge will crumble in the process, but they never imagined that she would be so resourceful. Penelope comments that maybe Clifford should have sent her to jail instead of Hiram, unaware of Archie listening behind the bushes. Cheryl then catches up to Archie, who wants to break off their arrangement, but Cheryl first reminds him of everything he could be losing if he does. She then accuses him of being just as bad as everyone else in town, despite her initial beliefs, as he wants something from them as well.

Archie running after Valerie

The next day, Archie catches up with Valerie to tell her that he is done with the Blossoms and to admit that she was right about him being bought and taking shortcuts. Unfortunately, Valerie is already done with him, as she is sick of being ignored, and unlike him, she will not be bought.

Archie goes to Jughead and Betty at the Blue and Gold offices with one last piece of information. He informs them of what he'd overheard at the Blossom banquets between Penelope and Clifford. It sounded as if they were responsible for sending Veronica's father to jail.

Pursuing Veronica

Archie and his father talking about his mother

Before his dad leaves for Chicago to finalize the divorce with his mother, Archie and Fred have a quick chat on the front porch, in which Fred explains that with the divorce papers and legal documents settling up, they will soon be able to put the entire unfortunate situation behind them. Archie questions if his father's sudden urgency to finalize the divorce is a result of his relationship with Hermione Lodge, but according to Fred, that is not the reason, as he had already ended that romance. Knowing this, Archie wonders if it is at all possible for his mother and father to fix what was broken after two years of separation. He had spoken to her the previous week, and she failed to mention anything about a divorce, but this was due to Mary not wanting to be the bearer of bad news. Archie asks if he could join his father, however, Fred denies his request, reasoning that it is something to only be handled by them.

Archie telling Betty about Jughead's birthday

At school later that day, Archie and a hesitant Betty informs Veronica that while at the Blossom family tree tapping, he overheard Clifford Blossom say that he was responsible for Veronica's dad's incarceration. Immediately after this, Archie tells Betty that Jughead's birthday is coming up but to not make a big deal out of it because he hates his birthday. For the last few years, he and Jughead went to a double-feature at the Bijou. It became a tradition. But since Jughead has a girlfriend this time around, Archie thinks it would be best if Betty took him alone, as he does not want to be a third wheel.

Archie and the gang watch as Chuck enters the cafeteria

During lunch, Archie exchanges tension filled looks from across the cafeteria with Valerie and Melody. Having learned from Jughead's father that he never had a birthday party, a claim that Archie corroborates, Betty suggests that they throw him a low-key surprise party, which Veronica and Kevin are all for. However, Archie informs them that it is a terrible idea considering that Jughead hates his birthday. Just then, Chuck Clayton enters the cafeteria, headed towards Ethel's table. After thinking it over, Archie then decides to hop on board with the plan to throw a surprise party, even volunteering his house as the location.

Archie and Jughead talking about his birthday

After revealing to Jughead that night that he told Betty about his birthday and that she would be accompanying him to the Bijou, Archie questions exactly why Jughead despises his birthday so passionately. When Jughead was a kid, his home life was always messed up, and then his birthday would come, and they would pretend as if everything was normal, which consequently made him feel lonely.

Archie receives a call from his dad, who is simply checking in. He asks if his father has seen his mother yet, which he hasn't. His father thought it would be better if they talked when the lawyers were present. This only further disappoints Archie, as his parents cannot communicate to one another without a mediator.

Kevin, Archie and Joaquin at Jughead's party

That night, Archie has some pre-game drinks before the party even starts, denying any claims of being drunk despite the aroma of alcohol protruding from him as Jughead and Betty return from the Bijou. After greeting one another, Betty brings out the cake and sings to Jughead, but Veronica takes off before he can even blow out the candles, with Archie right behind to check on her. Veronica doesn't wish to talk about it, so Archie offers her a drink, then informing her that his parents are about to finalize their divorce. His mom wanted to leave Riverdale, whereas his dad wanted to stay, and so did Archie. Veronica then tells Archie how her own father threatened to destroy her mother if she did not testify on his behalf, which leaves Veronica in an uneasy state, leading Archie to offer her a hug that Jughead and Betty walk in on.

Betty, Archie, and Veronica partying

The doorbell rings just as the couple begin to fight. It's Cheryl and Chuck, along with a few dozen classmates, all ready to party. Despite being completely aware of Jughead's stance on the party, Archie invites everyone in, telling Moose that one keg can go in the kitchen and the other in the back.

When Valerie arrives, he goes searching for Jughead for advice, and upon finding him in the garage, Jughead expresses his disappointment in Archie because it was his job to make sure his birthday never turned out in the way it just did. Archie insists it was Betty's idea and that he simply went along with, furthermore, she's his girlfriend, meaning Jughead gets a birthday party whether he wants one or not.

Archie running into Valerie at the party

Outside the house, Archie approaches Valerie, who tells Archie she's looking for Melody. Archie tries to stop her from leaving, asking her if they made a mistake by breaking up with each other. Valerie reminds Archie that they didn't do anything. She broke up with him because she thought that he was a "hot mess," and she was clearly right judging by his current drunken state. When she tries to walk away again from him, Archie tries to stop her, and she throws a cup of beer in his face. She reminds Archie that he shut her out and tells him that it is too late. Archie then goes upstairs to his room and drunk dials his father.

Chuck and Cheryl decide to play a game called "Secrets & Sins," in which they all must reveal their secrets to everyone. Unfortunately, during this game, Dilton Doiley reveals that Ms. Grundy's car was at Sweetwater River on July 4th and that Archie was there as well, essentially making Archie's relationship with Grundy public information amongst the students. Chuck remarks that had he known, he could've added him and Ms. Grundy into the book of conquests. The game shifts to Betty as Chuck tells the story that led to his suspension. Jughead comes to Betty's defense, resulting in FP dragging Chuck out the house and ending the party altogether.

Archie and Veronica after the party

As the house finally settles down, Archie and Veronica chat on the couch about the failings within their respective lives. Archie admits to drunk dialing his dad. He told him not to sign the divorce papers, but he's not sure why, as he doesn't want his parents to get back together. He wonders what life would be like had he made different choices, such as moving to Chicago with his mother, and while this is not a question Veronica could answer, had he moved, they would have never met, which would have been a tragedy of epic proportions, Veronica remarks. He acknowledges how messed up he is, but Veronica insists that Archie is less messed up than most. The two of them began to kiss.

The next morning, Archie wakes up and immediately begin cleanings while ignoring his father's calls at the same time. Jughead then asks about him and Veronica, as he caught her sneaking out earlier that morning.

Archie manages to get the house clean just as his father returns, and much to his surprise, he is not alone. Archie's mother has returned with him.

Archie and his mother having breakfast

While eating breakfast with his mother, Archie is confronted for drunk dialing his father. Mary tells Archie that when she left, she thought that Riverdale would be better and safer for Archie than Chicago. Archie tells her it's okay while also assuring her that he is okay. He tells her that it is not all bad, explaining that his friends are amazing and his relationship with his father has been closer than ever. Mary also adds with joy that he is singing, and Archie tells her he's been both writing songs and singing. Mary hopes he will play her some songs before she leaves town, and Archie is thrilled to hear about his mothers interest in him and his music. He tells her that he will be playing at the school dance and invites her to come see him perform live.

At school, Archie apologizes to Veronica for not calling her back, but Veronica claims he doesn't owe her an explanation. Archie asks her if they are going to talk about last night, when the two of them kissed right after Jughead's 16th Birthday Party. Veronica tells Archie that they had a moment, a beautiful but fleeting moment. Archie adds that she spent the night, but Veronica likes to call it "they crashed" while being in two separate beds. Archie tells her that he doesn't regret anything that he said or did last night, while Veronica adds neither does she. She admits that Archie might be boyfriend material, and he proposes they test the theory at the Homecoming dance. However, Veronica doesn't think she's ready to see anyone right now.

Veronica and Archie in an empty classroom

After learning that Cheryl and Polly will be campaigning as co-Queens of the Homecoming dance, Archie asks Betty if he can play a couple songs during the event, as he has already told his mother that he would. Initially hesitant, as Archie's style of songwriting is dark, Betty agrees to let him play once Veronica announces that she will be performing an up beat cover song with him. After lunch, Veronica pulls Archie in an empty classroom, where they can talk privately. Archie asks Veronica what led to her sudden change of heart. Veronica reveals that she believes that her dad and FP may have been involved in Jason's murder. So, she needs Archie's help searching FP's trailer for anything that links FP to Jason or her dad. Archie is resistant, especially since it means going behind Jughead's back.

Archie returns home to find his parents in the kitchen, together and happy. It's nice, but strange after them being apart for so long. Jughead enters the kitchen, leading Mary to ask who else will be attending the dance other than her and Fred, which is a pleasant surprise for Archie because his parents want to be together just to see him play.

Archie in bed

Later that night, as he and Jughead prepare for bed, Jughead questions if there was a scenario where Archie's mom and dad might rekindle their romance, though Archie doesn't think they'll be getting back together. Jughead then changes the subject to his parents, specifically his father, who Jughead is considering moving back in with after noticing that his father is getting his life back together. However, Archie is concerned and advises Jughead to wait it out. After learning that FP has asked Jughead about Jason Blossom, Archie makes up an excuse to go see Veronica, who he agrees to help break into FP's trailer in fear that FP might hurt Jughead again. Archie tells Veronica that if they go through with her plan, Jughead can never find out what they are doing, to which Veronica adds neither can Betty.

Veronica and Archie kissing in FP's trailer

The following night, just before Homecoming, Archie and Veronica make their way over to the trailer, where they find a spare key under an old and rusty lawn gnome. However, Archie and Veronica have failed to come up with anything that indicates FP worked with Hiram. Veronica is desperate to find anything that confirms her father is guilty, as she still has her doubts about FP and her father working together. Archie questions what are they looking for specifically, telling her that they could be looking together forever, and they still wouldn't find anything. Veronica fears what will come next when her father returns. Archie isn't sure, but he tells her that he will be there right beside her, doing what he can to help. Maybe them not finding anything is a good indication, Archie points out. He manages to cheer Veronica up, and the two share a kiss and leave.

Archie performing

As they arrive at the dance, they inform Mrs. Cooper of how they failed to find anything inside the trailer. Unfortunately, they are spotted by Betty, who confronts them both on it, but they can't talk, as it is time to perform. After Archie and Veronica take the stage and performed Kids in America, they are confronted once more by Betty and decide to tell her the truth about their alliance with her mother. Jughead then comes around the corner, and they tell him the truth as well. Archie went behind his back, but he did it to protect Jughead, and he is sorry for it.

Archie being asked by his mother to move to Chicago

After news gets out that FP was arrested for the murder of Jason Blossom, Archie returns home with his parents. In the kitchen, his mother tells him that FP had always had his demons, even in spite of how much he had changed, or so it had seemed. His mother wants him to move back to Chicago with her. Riverdale isn't safe anymore. She feels like it is about to slide off a mountain side, and she doesn't want him around when it happens, so Archie promises her to consider it.

Archie and Veronica hit up Pop's shoppe in search of Jughead, but they find Betty instead and inform her that the police found the gun that killed Jason in FP's closet. The problem with that is Archie searched the closet, and he never saw it, meaning that after they left, someone planted it there to frame FP.

Archie, Betty and Veronica confessing to their parents

Archie and Veronica reiterate to Betty that someone planted the gun in FP's trailer. Archie states that they need to tell Jughead that his father is innocent, but no one can seem to find him, and he isn't answering their calls. In the meantime, Archie suggests they go to their parents with this discovery, however, the interaction doesn't go as well as planned. Fred, Mary, and Hermione are furious to learn that Archie and Veronica broke into his trailer at Alice's behest. However, Archie explains that they had to make sure FP wasn't involved in the murder of Jason Blossom. Archie insists that there wasn't a gun when they broke in, and if their parents don't believe in them, they'll go to Sheriff Keller without them. Unfortunately, Mary informs him that he and Veronica entered FP's residence illegally, so anything they did or did not find would be inadmissible in the court of law. Archie doesn't care about the consequences of his actions, but his father does. FP has ruined Jughead's life, but he's not going to let him ruin Archie's too.

Archie Betty, Veronica, and Jughead at the station

A little while later, he receives a text from Betty, who is worried about Jughead, as is he. The two of them decide to go out looking for him together, starting with the bus station. But he isn't there. Veronica then calls Archie, and from her, they realize that the only other place that Jughead could be at this time of night was Pop's shoppe because it is open 24/7. Just as Veronica said, they find him in a booth at Pop's, each of them sorry for their betrayal, realizing they shouldn't have broken into his father's trailer, but something good came from it since the gun wasn't there when Archie and Veronica searched the closet. The four of them make their way to the station to inform Sheriff Keller of their discovery, but they are too late, as FP has already confessed to killing Jason.

Archie breaks up the fight

The next day at school, they learn from the police report that FP worked alone. Archie points out that there's no mention of Veronica's father. Although, Veronica can't help but think that maybe he hired another Serpent to plant the gun. Archie secretly holds her hand under the table to provide comfort and ease her mind. They are then joined by Kevin, who is concerned with Jughead. He isn't doing good, Archie says. He also won't be in school that day, as he is being interrogated down at the station. Despite his initial decision to stay home, Jughead makes a surprising appearance in the cafeteria that morning to apologize to Cheryl, who attacks him in a fit of rage, forcing Archie to break it up by pulling her off.

Archie learns from his father that Weatherbee called and suggested that Jughead finish the semester from home, as he wants to avoid another altercation like the one that took place with Cheryl. Archie wants to call the school board, but Fred reminds him that they have to think of a long-term solution, and sadly it's not them, as Fred isn't Jughead's legal guardian. His father informs him that his job is to keep Archie safe, especially from the trouble that always seems to follow the Jones family. Fred then exclaims that maybe Archie should move with his mother to Chicago. However, Archie hadn't even been considering that. Jughead comes down after having heard the entire conversation. He volunteers to sleep in the garage that night.

Archie discussing FP's case with Mary

The following morning, he wakes Jughead up, and the two of them met up with Archie's mother at Pop's to discuss FP's case. His mother passed herself off as FP's attorney to get as much information on the case as possible. Between his list of priors, the anonymous tip, the possession of the murder weapon, and his confession, it isn't looking good. She did, however, mention that he used his one call to contact Joaquin.

Archie and Veronica finds Mustang

Archie relayed this information to Veronica, and the two of them, along with Kevin, call Joaquin over to ask him about FP and his possible involvement with Veronica's father. Joaquin admits that he had always assumed that FP killed Jason because on July 11th, he received a late-night call from FP to help with a clean job at the Whyte Wyrm. When Joaquin got there, he saw Jason's body lying on the ground, so they stuffed him in the freezer and cleaned up the mess. FP had done jobs for Hiram in the past, so Veronica asks if killing Jason was one of them. Joaquin isn't entirely sure, but he recalls one discussion about a rich guy that he overheard between FP and Mustang, the same Serpent that Archie got into a fight with. Joaquin then takes them to the City Centre Motor Hotel, where Mustang is staying, but once inside, Archie discovers his body inside the bathtub.

Upon the arrival of the authorities and their parents, Sheriff Keller questions what he and Veronica were even doing at the hotel, to which Archie explains that they knew Mustang was a Serpent, so they wanted to talk to him about FP. As they head back to the truck, Archie's father pleads with him to stop his investigation of Jason's murder, as that path will leave him dead. Fred is simply trying to protect him.

Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and Kevin watching Jason's murder

From Jughead, Betty, and Kevin, Archie learns of a contingency plan put together by Joaquin and FP that had been deemed as too dangerous by the latter. Apparently, the plan consisted of Jason's varsity jacket, leading Archie to question how it would help FP. Just as it seemed that all hope was lost, Betty refuses to give up and tells Archie to put the varsity jacket on. She searches the pockets, and as suspected, there is something they had missed, it is a USB flash drive inside the lining of the jacket. The flash drive houses surveillance video of the night Jason died. They watch the video from start to finish, everything from Jason being taunted by Mustang, to the gunshot that ended his life, which was fired by his own father, Clifford Blossom.

After watching the video and handing the USB off to Mrs. Cooper, Archie says goodbye to his mother as she is returning to Chicago. Archie has decided to stay because his friends need him, but he agrees to visit her for the summer. He gives his mother a hug and says that he loves her.

Archie checking in on his dad

Archie enters the kitchen that morning to find his father quietly staring out the window. Archie calls out to him, just to check on how he is doing, though Fred is far from it. He thought that he knew Riverdale, but recent events say otherwise. If he could cut ties in that moment, he would. Fred then asks Archie how he was doing, to which he replies that while he is fine, the same can not be said for his friends. Betty, Veronica, and Jughead are still in the midst of it all. As they all are, Fred adds.

Shortly after this conversation, Archie and Betty walk to school together. They talk about her household, in which her family is back together, but they have resorted back to their typical way of pretending that all is fine with their perfect family.

Archie and Betty being honored

After parting ways with Betty, Archie and Veronica discuss telling Betty about their romance. Archie insists that they proceed with caution and reminds Veronica of the sequence of events that followed the last time they informed Betty of their romantic encounter leaving Veronica burdened with the task of telling Betty herself. Their conversation is brought to an abrupt end as Mr. Weatherbee calls Archie and Betty down to his office, where Mayor McCoy seeks to honor them for their bravery and their hand in solving Jason's case. The Pussycats will be performing at the Jubilee, and Mayor McCoy is hoping that Archie will join them. In Betty's case, considering the troubling times that Riverdale has endured, Mayor McCoy thought it best if the town hears from their best and brightest. What of Jughead, Archie asks. He played a large hand in solving Jason's case as well. Mayor McCoy admits that while she likes Jughead and that he is welcome to attend, with FP in jail, he will not be brought on stage because she wants to avoid any controversy.

Archie and Veronica telling Betty the truth

After being dismissed, he and Betty meet up with Jughead, Veronica and Kevin in the cafeteria to talk about FP's case, in which the Southside Serpents are being villainized and falsely accused of drug trafficking. The knowledge of this injustice infuriates Betty to the point that she decided to address it head-on by writing an article on it since the town had changed and that needed to be acknowledged instead of avoided. In response to the topic on hand of deceitfulness and being afraid of the truth, Archie and Veronica take the opportunity to tell Betty that they have kissed a couple times, which Betty is fine with.

Archie checks in on Betty

Despite Betty's initially supportive response to Archie and Veronica's relationship, Archie seeks Betty out at the Blue and Gold as he can't help but wonder if this was truly how she felt. Last time she said she was okay, she wasn't. Betty insists that she's fine with Archie dating Veronica. But as amazing as Veronica is, a little part of Archie always thought he and Betty would end up together, however, before he can finish this thought, Betty cuts him off. She thinks they are lucky to have found the people they are meant to be with, and even better that they are all friends.

Archie asking Josie to perform his song

With Archie set to play alongside the Pussycats at the Jubilee, he had hoped that Josie would allow them to play one of his new songs, which was admittedly amazing. However, Mayor McCoy had already pre-selected a song. Not to mention that Archie's song is solely about his friends, who had notably been through hell and back, but the Jubilee is an event for the entire town.

Archie and Jughead return home that night to find Archie's dad talking with Ms. Weiss, Jughead's caseworker. With FP facing extended jail time, they want to ensure that Jughead is being taken care. Archie volunteers their home until further notice, an offer that Fred had made prior to their arrival. Unfortunately, between the DUI that Fred was charged with after Mary left town and his insufficient funds, the odds are against them. Ms. Weiss has spoken with a foster family on the south side that is willing to take Jughead in. However, this will require him to transfer to Southside High. Jughead will be on the south side by the end of the week.

Archie informing FP of Jughead's transfer

The very next day, Archie visits FP at the Sheriff Station to inform him of recent developments surrounding Jughead's transfer to the south side. If there is a deal on the table, Archie urges FP to take it for Jughead's sake. FP refuses to turn on the Serpents in spite of all that he and Jughead would have to endure. Not to mention they are innocent, not that anyone cared. Archie cares, as does his friends, but no one wants to see FP go to prison for 20 years. FP trusts that Jughead will understand why he can't turn on his gang affiliates. Jughead knows that you can't betray the people that stand by you and have your back. FP is certain the Serpents will step up when the time calls for it. Jughead is a tough and scrappy kid, he'll make it, especially with Archie and Betty looking after him, though he feels it is necessary to warn Archie that Jughead will try to pull away by disappearing into himself, but that's exactly why he needs his friends to stick with him no matter what.

Later that day, Archie is irate after witnessing the aftermath of someone vandalizing Betty's locker with pig's blood and hanging a Betty doll in response to her article pertaining to FP and the Serpents. He wants to throw whoever was responsible into a wall. Betty is getting threats, Jughead is being thrown into a snake pit, and he can't do anything to help. He feels helpless.

Archie and Veronica watching Betty and Jughead

In the student lounge, the following day, Archie and Veronica learn from Betty that she has a long-lost brother, who would be in his mid-twenties at this time. Betty then receives a call from Jughead, who has already transferred to Southside High due to the belief that no one wanted him at Riverdale, which is precisely what FP warned Archie of. So, the three of them race over to retrieve Jughead, but upon their arrival, they discover that he is fitting in just fine. Right outside the school, as Jughead and Betty embrace, Veronica says that she firmly believes that they are each other's soulmate. She then looks to Archie, who has an unsettling look on his face, but before he can get a word out, Veronica receives a text from Cheryl, thanking her for trying to help, but she merely wants to be reunited with Jason, which leads them to Sweetwater River, where Cheryl saw her brother last.

Archie, Jughead, Betty, and Veronica at Sweetwater River

After realizing that Cheryl is trying to end her life, the four of them make their way to Sweetwater River, where Cheryl saw Jason last. They plead with her to stop pounding on the thick layer of ice but it doesn't matter, as the damage is done and the ice breaks beneath her feet, and Cheryl is dragged under. Archie, Jughead, Betty, and Veronica run onto the iced over river to recover Cheryl, but by the time they reach its breaking point, Cheryl has traveled further down stream. Archie finds her just beneath the iced-over surface after pushing away the snow. However, the only way to reach her is to break through the ice, thus forcing Archie to do just that. He continuously punches the ice, eventually breaking through after many intense blows, though not without severely injuring his hand in the process. After pulling Cheryl out of the river, he performs CPR and brings her to shore.

Archie performing at the Jubilee

Backstage of the Jubilee that night, Archie struggles to play the guitar due to the injury he sustained while saving Cheryl, leaving Veronica to question if he should be playing with the condition that his hand is in. Archie assures her that he can still play, especially considering that his Freshman year he played with a taped up hand. Veronica recalls how Archie longingly looked at Betty and Jughead at Southside High during their hug, making her question his feelings. Archie explains that the moment Veronica is talking about is when he realized how good Betty and Jughead are together, and it confirmed that he wanted to be that for Veronica. As the two of them proceed to kiss, Josie interrupts. She learned of Archie's heroic actions from Veronica and has decided to play his song at Jubilee as a show of gratitude.

As promised, against her mother's wishes, Josie announces to the crowd that instead of Astronaut, they'll be playing an original song by Archie.

After Betty's speech regarding Riverdale and the crossroads, it is facing, Archie, Veronica, Jughead, and Betty celebrated over milkshakes at Pop's shoppe.

Archie holding Fred in his arms

Afterward, Archie returns to the Pembrooke with Veronica, and the two of them have sex. Before taking off to have breakfast the next morning with his dad, which is what they do whenever Archie's dad has something important he wants to talk about, Archie gives Veronica a kiss goodbye. Upon his arrival at Pop's, Archie goes to the restroom to wash his hand, but when he comes out, he discovers that the shoppe is being robbed by a masked gunman. Archie looks to his father, who nods at him not to interfere. Fred then gets out of his seat, resulting in the gunman turning the gun on Fred and shooting him as Archie runs over to stop the incident. Fred lays on the floor bleeding out in Archie's hands as the gunman swiftly exits the shoppe.